Kentucky Transportation Secretary Greg Thomas has approved raising the speed limit along US 60/The Wendell Ford Expressway around Owensboro from 55 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour.

The order, issued under KRS 189.390, indicates that the move is based on information gleaned during an engineering and traffic investigation. During a study by the KYTC District 2 Traffic Group, engineers found 85% of the traffic along US 60 around Ownesboro was running at an a speed of 63 miles per hour or less.

With the recent full rehabilitation of US 60 (formerly the Owensboro bypass), the section met all requirements for the higher speed limit.

The order allows the speed limit to be raised from the KY 331 intersection at mile point 10.18 extending westward to milepoint 23.44 near Hawes Boulevard, a distance of 13.26 miles. This includes US 60/The Wendell Ford Expessway and the recently constructed extension to near Hawesway Truck Stop.

Kentucky Transportation Cabient District 2 Public Information Officer Keith Todd said it would take about a week to fabricate vinyl overlays for existing signs and to fabricate any new signs that might be needed. The KYTC District 2 sign crew will then set a day to make the change, possibly in the next two weeks or so.

Todd reminded motorists to obey the speed limit as posted.

“The Owensboro Police Department, Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, and Kentucky State Police will continue to enforce the 55 mile per hour speed limit until the new signs are in place. We will announce when a specific date is set for new speed limit signs to go up. Meanwhile, motorists should continue to obey the speed limit as posted,” Todd said.

Engineers believe there are about 20 speed limit signs along this section of US 60 and that they will be able to alter them or put up new signs in about one full working day. If poles supporting the existing signs have been damaged and need to be replaced it could take a bit longer.

District 2 engineers submitted a request for the speed limit change in mid-January. The request was reviewed by senior staff in Frankfort and approved this week by the Secretary of Transportation.

Timely traffic advisories for the 11 counties of KYTC Highway District 2 are available by going to www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict2. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.